Common Mistakes in Freelance Design Agreements

Contracts, not glamorous, but game-changing In my early freelance days, I skipped setting revision limits. BIG mistake. I once revised a single slide deck six times without extra pay. 😬 Now? My contracts always include: 1️⃣ Scope of work (detailed is best!) 2️⃣ # of rounds of revisions, depending on the project 3️⃣ Payment terms (Net 15 or 30 keep cash flow smooth) 4️⃣ Late payment clause (1.5%/month after due date—trust me, add it!) Pro Tip from my lawyer colleagues: Contracts aren’t just about protecting you; they set expectations for both sides. Your client will appreciate it as well. Micro-action: Pull up your last contract. Did you have revision limits? If not, write one now and make it standard! CTA: What’s one contract clause you always include or learned you should have? Share your hard-earned wisdom! 💬 #medicalwriter #medicalwriting #healthcommunications #medcomms #kjcmediaheath #businesstips

One of my biggest early mistakes as a freelancer? Not setting limits on revisions. I once took on a writing project where the client asked for “a few edits.” What I didn’t realize was that their version of “a few” meant weeks of back-and-forth. I couldn’t close out the project, couldn’t send my final invoice, and ended up with watered-down content that was worse than the original draft. That was a painful but valuable lesson: revisions need limits. Here’s how I handle it now: Every contract specifies exactly how many rounds of edits are included (usually 2). I give clients clear instructions for each round: first round is big-picture, second is polishing. I also teach them how to leave feedback. (Pro tip: have them use Suggestion Mode in Google Docs. It saves hours compared to tracking 200 tiny comments manually.) Another lesson came from vague feedback like “I don’t like the style.” To prevent this, I now include an addendum where clients initial that they’ve reviewed my writing samples and agree the project will match that style and tone. Both boundaries protect me, but they also protect the client. They get structure, clarity, and realistic expectations. #freelancer #freelancewriter #freelancertips #thefreelancecoach

Losing $6,500 taught me a tough lesson. I ignored client red flags and paid the price. 3 years ago, I started a Webflow project. My mistakes were simple but costly: → No signed contract, just email agreements → Worked without the first payment → Scope got extended but didn't communicate it to the client → Ignored founder's silence on invoices Ultimately what happened was, 3 of 4 invoices unpaid. The founder disappeared, deleting Slack channels and social profiles. Later, I discovered the company went bankrupt. Here’s what I learned to prevent this: 1. Always get a signed contract 2. Don't start work until the first payment 3. Communicate any scope changes immediately. 4. Address red flags promptly Protect your work. Get paid. P.S. Have you ever struggled with unpaid invoices?